New Research Touts Benefits of Medical Marijuana in Neurological Disorders

I have provided a brief update on Oct. 31, 2016 to this blog about the CNN TV program Weeds, by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Please see my update and additional links on this topic further below. Dr. Gupta had presented some compelling medical evidence of some benefits of medical marijuana in neurological and seizure disorders, as well as benefits to those undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of cancer.

In contrast to what many may think, the true medicinal aspect of marijuana, or cannabis, is not in the THC, the component that makes you high. Rather, it’s in the cannabinoids, a substance found both in the plant and as a neurotransmitter in the human brain. However, a rather complex purification process is required to produce the cannabinoids from the marijuana plant, which is produced as an oil for oral consumption.

One of the big challenges with medical cannabis, in my view, is in determining which strains and forms to use for your own medical challenges. This web site below list information on how to select your cannabis strain. And below, is a chart to assist in selecting a strain.

The most well known political victims with the use of cannabis in the last several years was Charlotte, a 2 year old girl living with a progressive seizure disorder. It was her story and the growers in Coloradothat really got the cannabinoids out of these plants, and catapulted these new uses in the U. S.

According to the center and published research, there are two different types of cannabinoid receptors in the human body, CB1 and CB2, found in different locations and which do different things. CB1 is mostly found on cells in the nervous system, including certain areas of the brain and the ends of nerves throughout the body, while CB2 receptors are mostly found in cells from the immune system. Because of their location in the brain, it’s thought that CB1 receptors are responsible for the infamous ‘high’ (known as psychoactive effects) resulting from using cannabis.

My Own CBD Oil Trial

In 2016, I underwent my own trial of CBD oil from a recognized supplier over a two month period. This entailed two different blends of CBD: A 4:1 blend of CBD/THC, and a 24:1 blend of CBD/THC. I tried doses between 5-20 drops at a time and placed it (sublingual) under my tongue. Most of my trials were in the morning. But I also tried it in the afternoon and evening. MY RESULT: I had hoped it might help with fatigue and/or sensory (SPD) sound challenges. However, I did not find any “measurable” improvement in my complaints during my trial with these CBD products. Each vial cost me $60. And this was not covered by insurance. I was provided a prescription letter by my neurologist. My purchase and correspondence was done online. And the two vials shipped to me via mail.

As for my other supporting online material on cannabis and other forms of alternative medicine, below is a blog I authored in Sept. 2015 on alternative medicine in addiction treatment, where I discussed cannabinoids and neurotransmitters, plus I’ve written about sensory processing disorder and cognitive accessibility. In the blog below, I also discuss the challenges that addiction and other neurological disorders pose in cognitive accessibility. Further below, is a blog I’ve authored on sensory processing disorder.

Drum circle shakers come in all sizes and flavors, including, fruits and vegetables

Below, is my web page on drumming for wellness, which I have found to be very helpful in neurological disorders, movement disorders, stress-reduction, and general wellness. And below that, is a case study I wrote up on my experience with drumming in cerebral palsy and autism.

This music and the brain illustration depicts the areas of the brain involved in listening and playing musicStephen Dolle facilitates a drumming for wellness workshop at a private home in Orange County

Drum circles help to reduce stress and stimulate the brain for optimal function in the workplace

Now it should come as no surprise that the country who has done the most amount of cannabis research is Israel. And the developed country that has done the least, is the United States. And for good reason, it is illegal to do research on it in the U. S.

Below, is a link to Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, the world renowned expert on medical cannabis:

I’m not trying to make a political statement other than to report on what Dr. Gupta is sharing on CNN. The most compelling benefits in his reports have been in seizure disorders in children, which may well be a variant of x-linked hydrocephalus, where the children often have marked developmental and birth anomalies. In addition, many patients with hydrocephalus suffer seizures, with reports ranging up to 1/3 of those with hydrocephalus. It would seem cannabis could offer benefits to these individuals with hydrocephalus.

Lastly, below is a blog I authored in late 2015 on Nootropics, which are vitamin supplements that help to raise levels of neurotransmitters and related chemicals in the brain, as well as improve memory and productivity.

You be the judge as to whether you think you might benefit from newer strains of cannabis and CBD oil. I would like to see further research done to better understand the types & amounts needed to provide benefits in a range of disorders. Unfortunately for me, this single trial of CBS oil did not produce any measurable benefit. But I feel that it is likely that further research will lead to new information on its use in illness.

Contact me for more information on speaking, consulting, or to schedule a drum circle.

Dr. Gupta has done a fabulous job in interviews & coverage on this series. One item he reported on that I find surprising is that the sole patent for the process of extracting the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant is held by the United States department of health, which is ironic for an agency which has claimed that marijuana has no medicinal value. All I know, is that Dr. Gupta and the treating physicians of these little kids, have offered some pretty compelling evidence of cannabis’ medicinal benefits – at least for these children. And it worked while the best available prescription drugs failed to curb the seizures in these children. Let’s take the politics out of all medical care, including, hydrocephalus care!

I can’t attribute the United States’ reluctance to recognize the medicinal benefits to cannabis to “Big Pharmacy,” as it dates back to old views and federal prerogatives of the 1930s, and I don’t think pharma had influence in those policies then. No doubt there were federal fears at that time, which have not been politically palitable to review in the years since. It may just be due to the absense of critical mass for change, and now finally it is occurring.